A Finer End

and had a look at her parents’ house, just in case she’d been desperate enough to go back, and to the Vicarage, in case she’d gone there.’
    ‘If you left Ms Todd alive and well, why not tell the truth?’ Kincaid asked him.
    Nick shrugged. ‘When I heard Garnet was dead, I started to think... you know, it looked bad. And how was anyone else to know I’d been there? Pretty stupid of me, I suppose.’
    ‘Quite,’ Kincaid agreed dryly. ‘You’ll have to talk to the police, and I’d recommend you do it before they come looking for you. You do realize you may have been the last person to see Ms Todd alive?’
    Colour stained Nick’s face. ‘No. I hadn’t...’
    ‘How did you leave things with her?’
    ‘I’ll sound a right prat. . When Kincaid merely raised an eyebrow, Nick stumbled on. ‘I told her that if anything had happened to Faith, she’d be sorry. But I didn’t mean — you can’t think — Good Lord, I never wished her dead! ’
    ‘No one’s saying you did,’ interposed Gemma. ‘Did you see anything to indicate she was expecting someone? Or that she meant to go out?’
    ‘No, I can’t say that I did. But... there was something... she seemed different. I was surprised that she actually let me in the house, for one thing. And she seemed really worried about Faith. I think that’s what convinced me that she hadn’t done something horrible to her.’
    ‘You didn’t see anyone hanging about the place?’
    ‘No. I suppose it would be better for me if I could say I had.’
    ‘And you didn’t know what had happened to Faith until you heard from Jack?’
    ‘He rang me at the shop first thing this morning. As soon as I could get away, I went looking for Garnet. And I did go back to the farmhouse, to see if she’d come home.’
    ‘Did you go inside?’
    Nick nodded uneasily. ‘The door was unlocked. I didn’t search the house, though. Just stood in the kitchen and called out.’
    ‘Had anything changed since the previous afternoon?’
    ‘Not that I could see.’
    Kincaid stood. ‘Well, if you want my advice, Nick, the sooner you talk to DI Greely, the better for you.’ He handed him Greely’s card. ‘Why don’t you take this number down.’
    While Nick rummaged for pen and paper, Gemma had a chance to examine some of the books he had moved to make room for them. There was a preponderance of volumes on Druids, Goddess worship, and ancient magic. Lifting one, she said, ‘Nick, what did you mean when you said Garnet might have done something worse than hypnotize Faith?’
    ‘Did I say that? Must have been talking off the top of my head. I’ve no idea.’ Nick scooped up an armload of books and dumped them on the far side of the table.
    ‘Garnet Todd seems to have been quite knowledgeable about such things.’ Gemma gestured at the books. ‘Did she see Faith as a disciple?’
    ‘If she did, she wouldn’t have confided in me,’ Nick said bitterly.
    ‘There’s something I’m not sure I understand, here. Why was Garnet so determined to shut you out of Faith’s life? Surely as the baby’s father—’
    ‘I’m not the baby’s father!’
    ‘But I thought—’
    ‘No. Faith was pregnant when I met her.’
    ‘But then who—’
    ‘Faith won’t tell. No one has a clue. Unless...’ Nick frowned.
    ‘Unless Garnet knew,’ Gemma finished for him. ‘It would make sense, if Faith confided in anyone, it would have been Garnet. I wonder... What if someone made sure Garnet wouldn’t reveal the father’s secret?’
     

Chapter Thirteen
     
Glastonbury is not only deep-rooted in the past, but the past lives on at Glastonbury. All about us it stirs and breathes, quiet, but living and watching.
Dion Fortune, from
Glastonbury: Avalon of the Heart
     
    What?’ Kincaid demanded. ‘Have I got jam on my face?’
    ‘No.’ Gemma smiled. ‘Crumbs. You look quite fetching.’
    He set down his croissant, used his napkin, then poured them both another cup of coffee. They were lingering over a continental breakfast in the B &  B’s dining room. The room was elegant and comfortable, the food delicious, and he had refused to rush. They were, after all, at least nominally on holiday.
    Gemma looked more relaxed than he had seen her in months, dressed for a casual day in russet-coloured linen trousers, a pale yellow jumper, and boots.
    Nevertheless, he was convinced something was worrying her. She had tossed and turned in the night, mumbling in her sleep, and lately he had been